Alabama state troopersNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Alabama state troopersWed, 21 Dec 2016 00:06:54 +0000Alabama state troopershttp://apr.org
Alabama state troopers are increasing patrols during the busy holiday traveling season. Secretary of Law Enforcement Stan Stabler urged motorists to be cautious and "to help us make our roadways safer for everyone." The holiday travel season typically brings an increase in traffic fatalities. Stabler said troopers investigated 14 traffic fatalities during the five-day Thanksgiving travel period. Last year, troopers investigated 26 traffic deaths during travel period around Christmas and New Year's Day. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will heighten trooper patrols on Alabama's roadways through January first. The agency is urging people to obey traffic laws, use seat belts and car seats, avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and avoid distractions like texting.Expect More Police on the Roads This Holiday Seasonhttp://apr.org/post/expect-more-police-roads-holiday-season
102813 as http://apr.orgMon, 19 Dec 2016 04:19:26 +0000Expect More Police on the Roads This Holiday SeasonAlex AuBuchonAlabama’s state troopers say this year’s Thanksgiving holiday was more dangerous on roadways compared to last year. From 12:01 a.m. Wednesday until Sunday at midnight, troopers investigated 14 traffic deaths compared to 10 deaths during the 2015 Thanksgiving weekend. Al.com reports those fatal crashes occurred in Baldwin, Calhoun, Choctaw, Cleburne, Coosa, Cullman, Limestone, Macon, Marshall, Mobile, Monroe, Shelby and Tuscaloosa counties. The 2016 deaths include a 12-year-old riding an ATV without a helmet and a motorcyclist who was using a helmet. Troopers said 12 of the 14 individuals were in vehicles equipped with seat belts, but only seven of them were buckled up. Troopers investigated 419 total traffic accidents, resulting in 204 injuries during the travel period.Thanksgiving Travel More Dangerous Than Last Yearhttp://apr.org/post/thanksgiving-travel-more-dangerous-last-year
101810 as http://apr.orgTue, 29 Nov 2016 15:45:08 +0000Thanksgiving Travel More Dangerous Than Last YearAlex AuBuchonAlabama Governor Robert Bentley came out to defend the state’s closure of dozens of driver’s license offices after Congresswoman Terri Sewell said she was pursuing a Department of Justice investigation. Bentley sent a letter to U.S Representative Terri Sewell yesterday responding to Sewell's criticisms. She has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate since Alabama requires a photo ID to vote. She says the closures disproportionately impact poor and African-American populations. The governor called Sewell's comments "ill-informed." He says the state provides free voter IDs in each county independently of the driver’s license offices. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced last week that it would no longer send personnel to its satellite offices. The closures impact the issuance of new licenses. County workers handle renewals and replacements. The offices were staffed one to three days a week. They issued between a few dozen to a few hundred licenses and permits eachGov. Bentley Defends Driver's License Closures, Veteran Job Fair in Huntsvillehttp://apr.org/post/gov-bentley-defends-drivers-license-closures-veteran-job-fair-huntsville
80086 as http://apr.orgWed, 07 Oct 2015 14:16:33 +0000Gov. Bentley Defends Driver's License Closures, Veteran Job Fair in HuntsvilleAlex AuBuchonAdditional witness testimony is expected today in the federal trial of a former Madison police officer accused of using excessive force during a police stop. Former officer Eric Parker is facing charges of civil rights violations after he seriously injured an Indian grandfather. His trial is scheduled to continue today in Huntsville. This past February, police investigating a call about a suspicious person in a suburban neighborhood encountered Sureshbhai Patel. They had difficulty communicating with Patel and eventually slammed the man to the ground face first. Parker says Patel resisted officers and put his hands in his pockets. Patel denied that claim yesterday through an interpreter, saying he speaks very little English and couldn't understand what officers were saying when they stopped him. Parker’s defense argued that his actions were unfortunate but appropriate given the circumstances. But Parker's colleague, Madison police officer Charles Spence, testified the maneuver used toMadison Civil Rights Trial Continues, State Line Law Enforcement Efforthttp://apr.org/post/madison-civil-rights-trial-continues-state-line-law-enforcement-effort
78212 as http://apr.orgThu, 03 Sep 2015 14:24:20 +0000Madison Civil Rights Trial Continues, State Line Law Enforcement EffortAlex AuBuchonFive years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, tourism hasn’t just recovered on the Gulf Coast – industry officials say it’s surging. They credit the response to that environmental disaster as part of the reason why. BP spent more than $230 million promoting Gulf Coast tourism after the 2010 spill, and the company aired national commercials promoting the region for years. Tourism officials say that publicity boosted tourism to new levels, even as questions remain about the spill's long-term environmental impact. In some areas, tourist spending is double what it was before the spill. However, tourism is up nationwide, and it's tough to determine exactly how much of the increase in Gulf Coast visitors is linked to the BP promotions. Residents are saying, though, that their fears of a tourism collapse after the spill are now just a memory. 53 young singers from the Alabama Choir School are on their way to Japan today. The groups will be performing one song in Japanese. It’s calledBP and Gulf Coast Tourism, Alabama Choirs Headed to Japanhttp://apr.org/post/bp-and-gulf-coast-tourism-alabama-choirs-headed-japan
72869 as http://apr.orgTue, 26 May 2015 14:08:50 +0000BP and Gulf Coast Tourism, Alabama Choirs Headed to JapanAlex AuBuchonThe singer who became famous for the song "When a Man Loves a Woman" died yesterday. Percy Sledge had a massive impact on what became known as the "Muscle Shoals sound". Sledge walked into a recording studio in Alabama's Muscle Shoals region in 1966. In a few weeks, his signature song "When a Man Loves a Woman" would become the first of his five gold records. Dick Cooper is the Curator of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He says Sledge's legacy was defined when he was just 25 years old. "'When a Man Loves a Woman' is without question one of the greatest love songs of all time. I think the fact that he was able to deliver that song with such intense passion and sincerity, in itself, is a great example of his talent." Sledge was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. A state advocacy group for low-income families is on board with Gov. Robert Bentley's proposed tax plan. Alabama Arise echoed Bentley's call for higher taxes on cigarettes and automobile sales at a pressPercy Sledge Remembered, Group Backs Tax Plan and Senate Passes Education Budgethttp://apr.org/post/percy-sledge-remembered-group-backs-tax-plan-and-senate-passes-education-budget
70758 as http://apr.orgWed, 15 Apr 2015 14:47:14 +0000Percy Sledge Remembered, Group Backs Tax Plan and Senate Passes Education BudgetThe Associated PressAlabama state troopers investigated 10 traffic fatalities during the long Fourth of July weekend. The troopers report that three of the fatalities were in Lowndes County. There was one fatality each in St. Clair, Coffee, Mobile, Perry, Walker, Monroe and Tuscaloosa counties. One of the fatalities was a pedestrian and four people were killed on motorcycles. The long weekend began at 6 p.m. Thursday and ended at midnight Sunday. The troopers report they investigated 237 wrecks during that period, and the wrecks involved 123 injuries.10 Die In Holiday Weekend Wrecks In Alabamahttp://apr.org/post/10-die-holiday-weekend-wrecks-alabama
55302 as http://apr.orgMon, 07 Jul 2014 21:12:20 +000010 Die In Holiday Weekend Wrecks In AlabamaThe Associated PressAlabama State Troopers say none of the three people who died in Memorial Day weekend crashes were wearing seatbelts. Sgt. Steve Jarrett said in a statement Tuesday that state troopers investigated three fatal wrecks between Friday evening and early Monday morning. Jarrett says traffic fatalities were reported in Jackson, Shelby and Wilcox counties. Jarrett says during last year's Memorial Day weekend travel period, troopers investigated two traffic fatalities involving motorcyclists.State Troopers Investigate 3 Fatal Weekend Crasheshttp://apr.org/post/state-troopers-investigate-3-fatal-weekend-crashes
52759 as http://apr.orgTue, 27 May 2014 21:05:55 +0000State Troopers Investigate 3 Fatal Weekend CrashesThe Associated PressAlabama state troopers handled more than twice as many wrecks as normal during the snow and ice storm that paralyzed parts of the state last week. Troopers released statistics Tuesday showing officers investigated a total of 731 accidents from Tuesday through Friday. Roads were either frozen over or blocked with abandoned vehicles across a wide area during those days. Troopers on average would handle about 336 wrecks over a four-day period. Tuesday was the worst day for wrecks, with troopers handling 249. The state police investigative 84 crashes statewide on a typical day. The state statistics don't include accidents that were handled by city police or county sheriff's deputies.Ala. Troopers Handled 731 Wrecks In Winter Stormhttp://apr.org/post/ala-troopers-handled-731-wrecks-winter-storm
46191 as http://apr.orgTue, 04 Feb 2014 21:45:42 +0000Ala. Troopers Handled 731 Wrecks In Winter StormThe Associated PressState troopers say nine people died in traffic accidents linked to this week's winter storm in Alabama. The Department of Public Safety says fatal wrecks happened in six counties: Bullock, Chilton, DeKalb, Elmore, Perry and Tuscaloosa. Troopers say additional deaths could be added to the storm total once additional wrecks are investigated. Police say hundreds of wrecks occurred statewide during the storm, which struck Tuesday.Ala. Troopers: 9 Dead In Wrecks Linked To Weatherhttp://apr.org/post/ala-troopers-9-dead-wrecks-linked-weather
46011 as http://apr.orgFri, 31 Jan 2014 23:05:57 +0000Ala. Troopers: 9 Dead In Wrecks Linked To WeatherThe Associated PressFew Alabamians have obtained a new form of identification that many will need in less than a year if they want to take a domestic flight without carrying a passport. State Trooper spokesman Steve Jarrett says that less than 6,000 of Alabama's licensed drivers have obtained a STAR ID. That stands for Secure, Trusted and Reliable Identification. The new IDs are Alabama's way to comply with the federal REAL ID law. People born after Dec. 1, 1964, will need one of the new IDs or a passport to board a domestic flight starting Dec. 1, 2014. People born before Dec. 1, 1964, will need the new ID or a passport starting Dec. 1, 2017. Alabamians can apply at driver's license exam offices with the proper documents.Few Alabamians Getting New STAR ID http://apr.org/post/few-alabamians-getting-new-star-id
44106 as http://apr.orgMon, 30 Dec 2013 21:53:59 +0000Few Alabamians Getting New STAR ID The Associated PressTraffic fatalities on Alabama highways increased significantly during the long Thanksgiving holiday period. Alabama State Troopers report they investigated eight crashes with 11 fatalities. That compared with five deaths during the same holiday period last year. The fatal crashes occurred in Russell, Madison, Crenshaw, Walker, Autauga, Barbour, Pickens and Talladega counties. Troopers said preliminary investigations indicate alcohol was a factor in at least three deadly crashes, and seven of the 11 victims were not using seat belts. The holiday period ran from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27 through midnight Sunday.Alabama Troopers Report 11 Holiday Highway Deathshttp://apr.org/post/alabama-troopers-report-11-holiday-highway-deaths
42627 as http://apr.orgTue, 03 Dec 2013 21:58:10 +0000Alabama Troopers Report 11 Holiday Highway DeathsThe Associated PressAlabama Department of Public Safety says motorists can expect to see extra state troopers on the roads during the Labor Day holiday weekend. It's part of the national Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. The extra officers will be out from the beginning of the holiday travel period at 6 p.m. Friday through midnight Monday. Eleven people died in highway accidents during the 2012 Labor Day weekend in Alabama. The state Department of Transportation reports that holiday travel and football game travel is expected to be heavy. The department says there will be no temporary lane closures on Alabama interstate highways from noon Friday to midnight Monday as a precaution.Extra State Troopers, Heavy Traffic for Holidayhttp://apr.org/post/extra-state-troopers-heavy-traffic-holiday
36897 as http://apr.orgThu, 29 Aug 2013 13:26:47 +0000Extra State Troopers, Heavy Traffic for HolidayThe Associated PressState troopers and local law enforcement agencies are stepping up patrols during the long Fourth of July holiday weekend. Sixty-nine police and sheriff's departments are joining with the state troopers to target drunken drivers and other violators by conducting sobriety checkpoints and additional patrols. Funding from the extra patrols comes from grants awarded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the state Department of Transportation. State Public Safety Director Hugh McCall says troopers will concentrate on driving behaviors that frequently cause accidents. They include speeding, making unsafe lane changes, following too closely and failing to yield right of way.Extra Alabama Law Enforcement During Holidayhttp://apr.org/post/extra-alabama-law-enforcement-during-holiday
33511 as http://apr.orgThu, 04 Jul 2013 12:37:39 +0000Extra Alabama Law Enforcement During HolidayThe Associated PressPreliminary figures show that 514 people died in state highway accidents investigated by state troopers in 2012. The numbers were released recently by the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama Department of Public Safety. State officials said that in 59 percent, or 251 of the statewide fatalities investigated by state troopers, the victims were not wearing seat belts. The Tuscaloosa News reports (http://bit.ly/Y4u48O) that state troopers investigate traffic wrecks that occur on Alabama's rural, state, U.S. and interstate highways. Wrecks in cities are handled by local police and are not included in the preliminary figures. Data from crashes investigated by local law enforcement won't be compiled until later this year, so the total number of fatalities, including the percentage not wearing seat belts is expected to climb even higher. ___ Information from: The Tuscaloosa News, Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.514 People Died in Alabama Highway Wrecks in 2012http://apr.org/post/514-people-died-alabama-highway-wrecks-2012
24723 as http://apr.orgMon, 11 Feb 2013 13:25:43 +0000514 People Died in Alabama Highway Wrecks in 2012The Associated PressA spokesman says Alabama state troopers were caught off guard by last week's snow, which caused an overnight traffic jam on Interstate 65. Trooper spokesman Curtis Summerville says road conditions worsened faster than officials expected once the snow began coming down. Summerville tells The Decatur Daily ( ) authorities are looking at ways to do things better in case of a repeat. He says possibilities include using billboard or twitter to inform motorists of blocked roads. Hundreds of drivers had to spend the night on I-65 north of Cullman last Thursday after snow resulted in accidents and slippery conditions that brought traffic to a halt. Some people complained that officials mishandled the situation. Summerville says roads all over the area iced over, leading to the snarl. Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.Ala Troopers Re-Evaluating Snow Plans After Jamhttp://apr.org/post/ala-troopers-re-evaluating-snow-plans-after-jam
23524 as http://apr.orgTue, 22 Jan 2013 15:06:53 +0000Ala Troopers Re-Evaluating Snow Plans After Jam